New York Jets: Kahlil Bell Will Not Save the Season, but It's Still a Good Move

With reports coming in that the Jets cut Aaron Maybin and signed Kahlil Bell, I was originally upset to see a former first-round pick get cut, especially when he had such potential the year before (via ESPN).

Then I remembered that Kahlil Bell was the injury fill-in for Matt Forté, who eventually flushed the Chicago Bears' 2011 playoff hopes down the drain. However, Bell's potential in the Jets' offense makes signing him a much better decision than keeping Aaron Maybin.

Maybin's production was decelerating at an incredible pace. He no longer looked like he belonged on the football field, and it was only a matter of time before the Jets decided to let him walk.

Kahlil Bell, while his 40-yard time of 4.57s is underwhelming, does play with okay game speed. It makes him an enticing option to add to the lackluster running game.

For the first time, Shonn Greene will be playing with proven speed in Bell.

Kahlil Bell could serve as a very strong change-of-pace back—one able to run for 20 yards down the sideline or catch passes out of the backfield. His 19 catches in the last four weeks of last year exceeds the number that Bilal Powell and Shonn Greene currently have to date (17).

Not that it will really matter in a few months, but this type of experience with the Jets could help Bell in the long run, and his ability to impress the future coaching staff is essential to his future in the NFL.

If Bell can carry the ball over seven times a game, I expect a substantial improvement over Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight.

What do you think of the Bell acquisition? A whole lot of nothing or a diamond in the rough? Leave a comment with your opinion. Thanks for reading!